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Sports

Kennedy Races to Win in Tuesday Tournament Opener

Cavaliers beat visiting School Without Walls, 86-53, in first round of Al DeStefano Classic.

Last week was a tough one for the  boys' basketball team, so Cavalier coach Diallo Nelson seemed perfectly alright with his team's comfortable win against undermanned School Without Walls on Tuesday.

The Penguins brought just eight players to the first round of the Al DeStefano Classic, Kennedy's holiday tournament to honor its former coach.

The Cavaliers (4-3) took control early and dominated throughout in their 86-53 win.

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Kennedy, led by forward Dewitt Wood (20 points) and guard Asean Townsend (14 points), led 28-10 at the end of the first quarter and 49-26 at the half, helped in part by 15 School Without Walls turnovers.

"There are games you are supposed to win and you just have to win them," Nelson said. "And if we're lucky enough to get out of here with a win, hey I'll take it after losing two in a row."

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The Cavaliers didn't have their entire roster either. Injuries and players visiting family during winter break have made recovering from losses to Paint Branch and Wheaton last week a little more difficult.

"We took a hit," Nelson said. "I think we're down."

Kennedy has not forgotten its 62-60 loss at Paint Branch on Dec. 20, a game in which the Cavaliers held a late fourth-quarter lead.

Panther guard Jeff Keane made a game-tying three-pointer and was fouled with five seconds remaining. Keane missed the free throw but Paint Branch was awarded possession on a jump ball off the rebound.

The Panthers then made a game-winning lay-up on the inbounds play.

"It was very hard," Nelson said. "And then, we let that bother us against Wheaton."

In Kennedy's next game, on Dec. 22 against visiting Wheaton, the Cavaliers couldn't hold their own on the glass and .

On Tuesday, at least, Kennedy regained some of its confidence, pressing and scoring off turnovers often against the Penguins.

Today, the Cavaliers will face an improved Blair team, healthier than the one they handled, 59-39, on Dec. 10.

The game could go a long way to show how far Kennedy has come since last week.

"I think we can bounce back," Nelson said. "Today will help."

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